Designers Chuck Chewning and Heather Moore size up these versatile little wonders that can work in virtually any room and take on any number of roles

Designers Chuck Chewning and Heather Moore size up these versatile little wonders that can work in virtually any room and take on any number of roles

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The Experts

The Experts

In its humblest forms, the stool has long provided a seat for milkmaids, tavern regulars, and shopkeepers. The grander versions favored by Egyptian pharaohs and the Greeks and Romans are hardly ancient history: Those designs have provided inspiration for such furniture makers as T. H. Robsjohn- Gibbings, Ole Wanscher, and countless others.

"The stool is probably the oldest form of furniture," says designer Chuck Chewning. In today's multifunctional spaces, it's as useful as ever, he explains, adding that his own pair of 1930s stools are in constant rotation. "They usually live at the end of the bed, but I sometimes move them into a seating group or stack books on them."

A lightweight stool is not only mobile, but can double as an accent piece, says decorator Heather Moore, who often uses a pair beneath a console or places one next to a chair to serve as a drinks table. For a recent project, she tucked a stool under a side table. "It has a layering effect," she says, "but it's practical too."

THE EXPERTS

CHUCK CHEWNING: After making his name decorating luxury hotels across the globe, Chewning joined Donghia as creative director, where he oversees product lines and design projects, including a Venetian palace. donghia.com

HEATHER MOORE: As a senior designer at Jed Johnson Associates, Moore primarily works on the firm's New York--area residences, which range from old-world traditional to chicly modern. jedjohnson.com

1. JEAN PROUVÉ'S TABOURET NO. 307

1. JEAN PROUVÉ'S TABOURET NO. 307

BY G-STAR FOR VITRA

The French designer's 1951 stool has been reissued as part of ProuvÉ Raw, a collaboration between denim company G-Star and furniture manufacturer Vitra. "This is classic ProuvÉ--very industrial, very simple," Chuck Chewning says, pointing out the tractor-style seat and tubular steel legs. Heather Moore envisions one or two scattered around a modern living room. "It's really comfortable," she adds, praising its ergonomics. Two colorways are available: rustic red with off-white, shown, and off-white with basalt. 17" w. x 18" d. x 17" h.; $1,860; vitra.com

The Experts

In its humblest forms, the stool has long provided a seat for milkmaids, tavern regulars, and shopkeepers. The grander versions favored by Egyptian pharaohs and the Greeks and Romans are hardly ancient history: Those designs have provided inspiration for such furniture makers as T. H. Robsjohn- Gibbings, Ole Wanscher, and countless others.

"The stool is probably the oldest form of furniture," says designer Chuck Chewning. In today's multifunctional spaces, it's as useful as ever, he explains, adding that his own pair of 1930s stools are in constant rotation. "They usually live at the end of the bed, but I sometimes move them into a seating group or stack books on them."

A lightweight stool is not only mobile, but can double as an accent piece, says decorator Heather Moore, who often uses a pair beneath a console or places one next to a chair to serve as a drinks table. For a recent project, she tucked a stool under a side table. "It has a layering effect," she says, "but it's practical too."

THE EXPERTS

CHUCK CHEWNING: After making his name decorating luxury hotels across the globe, Chewning joined Donghia as creative director, where he oversees product lines and design projects, including a Venetian palace. donghia.com

HEATHER MOORE: As a senior designer at Jed Johnson Associates, Moore primarily works on the firm's New York--area residences, which range from old-world traditional to chicly modern. jedjohnson.com

1. JEAN PROUVÉ'S TABOURET NO. 307

BY G-STAR FOR VITRA

The French designer's 1951 stool has been reissued as part of ProuvÉ Raw, a collaboration between denim company G-Star and furniture manufacturer Vitra. "This is classic ProuvÉ--very industrial, very simple," Chuck Chewning says, pointing out the tractor-style seat and tubular steel legs. Heather Moore envisions one or two scattered around a modern living room. "It's really comfortable," she adds, praising its ergonomics. Two colorways are available: rustic red with off-white, shown, and off-white with basalt. 17" w. x 18" d. x 17" h.; $1,860; vitra.com

Max Kim-Bee

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2. LOTO SIMPLICE STOOL

BY ANTONIO CITTERIO FOR MAXALTO

"So sculptural--this works as a decorative object," says Moore of the stained-oak stool. It could also double as a side table and hold a serving tray, she suggests. "I like how the ribbed frame resembles a cage," Chewning says. "The hole in the center is a nice detail--it gives you additional views and sight lines." The piece also comes in other oak finishes. 16" dia. x 17" h.; $1,374; bebitalia.it

Max Kim-Bee

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3. OLE WANSCHER'S EGYPTIAN FOLDING CHAIR

BY CARL HANSEN & SON

Created by the Danish designer in 1957, this folding stool pays homage to early Egyptian furniture. "It's a beautiful piece--you can see the ancient influences," Chewning says. "The saddle- leather seat will develop a wonderful patina," he notes. Moore is a fan of the frame's graceful lines and petite scale: "This is great for an apartment." 22" w. x 12" d. x 16" h.; $1,410; carlhansen.com

Max Kim-Bee

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4. GUNN STOOL

BY JEFFREY ALAN MARKS FOR PALECEK

The stool's distressed finish reminds Moore of the work of Jean-Michel Frank. "It's urban and sophisticated," she says. Chewning admires the reeded top and X base. "I love how the design has been modernized with these angular, TinkerToy-like feet and joints," he adds. He imagines a pair tucked beneath a hall table or used in a seating group. A range of finishes is offered. 22" w. x 14" d. x 18" h.; $699; palecek.com

Max Kim-Bee

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5. CHARLOTTE PERRIAND'S TABOURET MÉRIBEL

BY CASSINA

This 1960s design nods to the architecture of MÉribel, France, in the Alps, where Perriand had a home. "This takes the stool back to its roots," says Chewning, who sees it adding a rustic touch to a contemporary living area. Moore would use it in a children's room: "It's scaled for kids, plus it's virtually indestructible." The stool comes in black-stained oak, shown, as well as natural oak and walnut. 13" dia. x 16" h.; $810; cassinausa.com

Max Kim-Bee

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6. TANEK STOOL

BY MADE GOODS FROM MECOX GARDENS

"This is a conversation piece," says Moore of the traditional Japanese stool encased in acrylic. She pictures it in a collector's home, as part of an eclectic mix. "I think this is genius," exclaims Chewning. "It could be an art object as well as a piece of furniture." When it's not being used as a stool, he adds, "It would make a fabulous table." A smaller size is offered. 12" w. x 8" d. x 14" h.; $800; mecoxgardens.com

Max Kim-Bee

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7. TRINCO STOOL

BY LIA SIQUEIRA FROM ESPASSO

"I love that there are no straight lines on this," Chewning says. He praises the woodworking, from the doweled construction to the hook closure, adding, "This is for someone with an eye for detail." Moore agrees, admiring the stitching on the leather seat. To her, the folding design is both familiar and fresh: "It's based on campaign furniture, but has a modern feel." Various wood and leather options are available; honey imbuia with orange leather is shown. 22" w. x 16" d. x 18" h.; $2,250; espasso.com

Max Kim-Bee

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8. QUARTER ROUND STOOL

BY CHRISTOPHER KURTZ FROM HEDGE

"There is such attention to detail in this design," Moore says of the white-oak stool. The legs are right-angled on the outside and curved on the inside, while the square top dips subtly between the four corners--all of which catches Chewning's eye. "And the tactile quality is incredible," he raves. Additional woods and finishes are available. 15" w. x 15" d. x 18" h.; $850; hedgegallery.com

Max Kim-Bee

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9. VINTAGE TOLEDO DINING STOOL

BY RESTORATION HARDWARE

"A great industrial look," says Chewning, noting the stool's exposed rivets and metal feet. "You could pull it up to a drafting table, or use a series of them around a wooden trestle table," he suggests. Given its informal style and adjustable height, this would work well in a breakfast nook or playroom, Moore says. It comes in a range of finishes; white enamel is shown. 16" dia. x 16"--21" h.; $250; rh.com